Why do you hate it here? (Miami, Orlando: appointed, home, quality of life)

[Tungsten_Udder]

Originally Posted by fauve

Is she from down here?

She's from South Africa.

I actually happen to have a master's in psych.

Okay . . . and I've got a couple graduate degrees in philosophy (as well as music theory/composition, but that's probably not so relevant).

It would be statistically impossible for us to all be conspiring to give you bad advice,

I'm not looking for advice, and I hadn't commented on people giving advice. I commented on putative factual claims and my beliefs about the veracity of the same from most of the folks I have interacted with here.

The primary reason the discussion continued was because someone made a universal generalization that I believe is false. A single disconfirming case falsifies a universal generalization.

My concern in these kinds of discussions is often logic as much as anything else. An existential generalization wouldn't have elicited a comment from me, as I noted above with my comments on "typical".

[BornInFL]

OK, so rude ppl, too many hispanics and crime leading the way. Sounds pretty accurate.

[EnjoyTheSilence]

I voted on:

-Rude people
-No diversity
-No jobs
-Nothing to do
-Traffic

I’ve lived in South Florida (Miami) for over 5 years now and honestly, I don’t like it. Of course, the easy thing to say is “if you don’t like it, leave” – well my wife and I are currently working on that, but it’s kind of hard when my wife’s mother has been ill and my wife doesn’t want to leave her on her own here.

I have several “issues” with South Florida, namely Miami. Honestly though, I feel that the biggest problem here is the people; people of all races. I’ve lived in many cities (both here in the US and overseas) and I can honestly tell you that I’ve never encountered so many self-centered, self-absorbed, narcissistic, arrogant, pig-ignorant and overly stupid people as I have here in Miami. You may disagree with me, but I’m giving you 5 years’ worth of personal experience, whether it’s in the office, on the overly congested roads, at stores and restaurants and previous so-called friends, who turned out to be nothing but users.

The drivers down here --- oh my god, they are by far the worst I’ve ever seen in the 8 countries I’ve visited and lived in. They are reckless, careless, dangerous, disrespectful, loud and obnoxious and downright stupid. It seems that we hand drivers’ licenses out to complete and utter retards who just got off the boat and who don’t even have a first clue as to how to drive without endangering the lives of other motorists/pedestrians. Heck, where I come from, much of the population of Miami would be behind bars for the way that they drive. I have never encountered so many complete and utter morons on the road as I have here.

Not only are the people f**ked up down here, but so are the politicians they elect. They are self-serving, greedy and corrupt, just like the majority of the electorate down here.

South Florida is filled with crooks, eager to rip you off, whether it be lawyers, mechanics, landlords doctors, dentists or veterinarians. It’s not what you know that applies down here – it’s who you know. If you’re not in the clique (mostly Cuban) you will not fit in here, plain and simple.

Miami (and Fort Lauderdale) have virtually no parks or recreational areas for such large urban expanses. There’s just the beach, which is inaccessible, most of the time.

There’s little in the way of mass transit; the car is the only form of transportation here, unless you happen to live next to one of the few Metrorail/Tri-Rail stations. Driving here in itself is a hazard, due to the moronic locals (see paragraph 3).

But look, if you like the beach, clubbing, all year round summer weather and the whole “Latin” culture, you’ll probably really like Miami. I feel that Miami is a place you either love or hate, nothing in between. Unfortunately, in my case, I really hate this place, so does my wife who has lived here all of her life. To me, palm trees and sunshine do not equal paradise and I actually like four seasons of the year (including the freezing cold), not just endless summer weather.

As for Miami’s problems, I honestly feel that the last 2-3 decades worth of Cuban immigration are largely to blame. I’m not pointing my finger at the “old school” Cuban immigrants of the 60’s, but the more recent wave of immigrants who have brought nothing but trouble and have driven so many decent, hard working Americans away from this place. Fidel Castro flushed his jails and sent over some of the worst scum known to mankind --- and that scum have landed here, bred and settled, refused to even learn the language and have brought third world / banana republic corruption to the United States. Honestly, I have not had good experience with the majority of Cubans I’ve met. I know there are decent Cubans, but their name has been tarnished by the more recent waves of (economic) migrants.

…bringing the “wet foot, dry foot” policy to and end would be a good start, in terms of fixing South Florida. Maybe then, many Americans would move back here and reclaim this place. Unfortunately the scum-count down here is way too high, so this place has become a cesspool of human waste, with no sense of community or identity. Don't you think it's messed up that we turn away Haitians, yet we allow Cubans a free pass into the United States? Isn't Haiti just as messed up as Cuba, if not more so? Isn't it time we started thinking outside the box; not just about the Miami Cuban lobby and their own interests, i.e. Miami Cubans?

South Florida has a LOT to learn though, perhaps from cities like NY, Boston, Chicago and Philly. There's no real sense of urban planning here....more of a "free-for-all". There's no sense of history, culture or identity. Downtown Miami is a ghost town, the rest of Miami (and Ft. Lauderdale) is just an urban wasteland of mass-nothingness, filled with gas stations, cookie cutter homes, ugly apartment buildings, condos, Publix supermarkets and tacky strip malls. Surely, we deserve better? Then again, just look at the politicians we elect -- corrupt, inept and useless, only serving the interests of the Miami Cuban, pro-Bush brigade and the greedy developers, eager to turn every piece of land into an ugly condo, or yet another strip mall.

If I were in charge, I'd crack down on the "driver" problem, for starters. I'd start with a mandatory life sentence for those who kill via "hit and run". I'd ban those from driving for life who commit serious/repeated traffic violations. I'd not only ban reckless drivers, but I'd have their cars crushed into scrap metal, right in front of their eyes, along with issue them tickets so expensive that it'd bankrupt them for decades. I feel like I'm in the minority in terms of worrying about whether or not my family/friends will be killed/injured by one of the many maniacs out there on our roads. I just wish the police & courts would crack down on this problem -- a problem which results in mass injury and loss of life.

Living in South Florida is extremely stressful, at least for me and my wife. I feel like you have to fight, fight, fight, because people will always try to f**k you over, somehow, some way. I know there are bad people everywhere, but they seem to be in the majority in this neck of the woods, in my opinion.

[BornInFL]

"I’ve lived in many cities (both here in the US and overseas) and I can honestly tell you that I’ve never encountered so many self-centered, self-absorbed, narcissistic, arrogant, pig-ignorant and overly stupid people as I have here in Miami."

I know, and many agree... but certain folks on here are completely blind to the facts. Some folks on here say crime isnt bad in S FL, the people are so friendly, etc... most normal ppl dont buy it. I think some people are biased and wont admit it. But Miami sucks.

[EnjoyTheSilence]

Originally Posted by BornInFL

"I’ve lived in many cities (both here in the US and overseas) and I can honestly tell you that I’ve never encountered so many self-centered, self-absorbed, narcissistic, arrogant, pig-ignorant and overly stupid people as I have here in Miami."

I know, and many agree... but certain folks on here are completely blind to the facts. Some folks on here say crime isnt bad in S FL, the people are so friendly, etc... most normal ppl dont buy it. I think some people are biased and wont admit it. But Miami sucks.

That's BS...glad you realize it. I'm tired of seeing people attempt to sweep the problems under the rug, like the problems don't exist. Let's face it...any place that takes in so many unchecked, undocumented immigrants just because they happen to come from a certain island is BOUND to have problems, don't you think?

It's not just crime here though, per se. Miami is a very rotten place, filled with a LOT of generally bad people. Having lived here for over 5 years, I've seen it with my own eyes and I've made up my own mind.

Some people can be happy here and some people are happy here. If you like beaches, clubbing, the Latin culture and if you are thick skinned enough to tolerate the BS that comes from living here, you'll probably be just fine.

This isn't my place though and I suspect that I am not alone in feeling this way. I'm not the kind of person to let s**t "slide" and put up with endless rudeness, discrimination for not speaking Spanish and the worst drivers on god's green earth.

[planetsurf]

Originally Posted by BornInFL

"I’ve lived in many cities (both here in the US and overseas) and I can honestly tell you that I’ve never encountered so many self-centered, self-absorbed, narcissistic, arrogant, pig-ignorant and overly stupid people as I have here in Miami."

I know, and many agree... but certain folks on here are completely blind to the facts. Some folks on here say crime isnt bad in S FL, the people are so friendly, etc... most normal ppl dont buy it. I think some people are biased and wont admit it. But Miami sucks.

Biased b/c we LIKE IT!!! lol
Just like you're biased b/c you DON'T like it.


Do you agree with this too?
"But look, if you like the beach, clubbing, all year round summer weather and the whole “Latin” culture, you’ll probably really like Miami. I feel that Miami is a place you either love or hate, nothing in between."


Sorry to hear about your problems BCreass, sounds like you really need to get out. I felt the same way about Atlanta when I was ready to get out ... EVERYTHING about it bugged me.
Good luck!

[EnjoyTheSilence]

Originally Posted by planetsurf

Biased b/c we LIKE IT!!! lol
Just like you're biased b/c you DON'T like it.


Do you agree with this too?
"But look, if you like the beach, clubbing, all year round summer weather and the whole “Latin” culture, you’ll probably really like Miami. I feel that Miami is a place you either love or hate, nothing in between."


Sorry to hear about your problems BCreass, sounds like you really need to get out. I felt the same way about Atlanta when I was ready to get out ... EVERYTHING about it bugged me.
Good luck!

I actually like Atlanta, although I'd opt for somewhere up north. The city has far more going for it than Miami, in my opinion -- it's greener too.

If you like Miami and you're happy here, more power to ya -- thanks for at least not being condescending and dismissive of my opinions, since we clearly disagree.

Life is too short to spend in a place you're not happy in....

[planetsurf]

Originally Posted by BCreass

Life is too short to spend in a place you're not happy in....

EXACTLY! That was why I pointed that out about Atlanta. It is a perfectly nice place, a good scale, decent cost of living ... but when I was ready to leave, EVERYTHING about it ticked me off. I needed to get out and when I did I was much happier.

I'm the first person to suggest Miami isn't for everybody. When you manage to get out, you WILL be happier.

Good luck again.

[BornInFL]

No problems with road rage in S FL... not at all.

South Florida called "road rage capital" of U.S. : State News : TCPalm


I dont know why anyone would like living in Miami. Have family that used to live there (on my wife's side) and moved to a place where ppl are friendlier, much less crime, less traffic/congestion, better weather, and where ppl speak english. That beautiful place is the mtns of NC, and they dont miss a thing about Miami. I know people that wont even DRIVE down there much less live, LOL. Place is miserable.

[planetsurf]

lol, when in doubt, pull out the "road rage card" again.